Household beauty products

Thursday, 3 October 2013

The food items we keep in our kitchen aren’t just good for eating – many of them double up as useful beauty products too! Whether you’ve run out of your usual product, or you’re waiting for the end of the month, utilise what you’ve got in your pantry. Here, some nifty ideas on how to make the most of your leftover foods.

OilsOlive oil, almond oil and avocado oil are excellent sources of hydration, both for your hair and for your skin. To combat dryness, gently dab a few drops of your chosen oil onto dry skin after cleansing and toning. Struggling with dry and damaged hair? Rub some oil through the dry strands and leave for twenty minutes before shampooing and conditioning.

MayonnaiseIf your hair’s suffered the wrath of heat styling, colouring and environmental damage, treat it with this refrigerator essential. Spread a dollop of mayonnaise through your hair and cover in cling wrap. Leave for twenty minutes before shampooing (be sure to do a good job, or else you’ll be left with a greasy residue) and condition.

Lemon juiceEver find your nails look yellow after you remove your favourite dark polish? Get them back to their pale pink colour by rubbing a cotton ball soaked in lemon juice over them.

Coffee granulesCellulite products are filled with caffeine – and so is your favourite morning drink. If you’re struggling with orange peel, put some coffee rounds on the problematic areas, wrap with cling film and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse off, and voilà – a natural cellulite fighter!

Tomato juice / tomato sauceThe acidity found in tomato juice / sauce has the ability to help neutralise the effects of chlorine in one’s hair. After your swim, shampoo your hair and follow by spreading some tomato juice / sauce onto it. Leave for a few minutes before conditioning as usual.

Baking sodaOne of the most versatile ingredients in your kitchen, baking soda is often used to minimise the appearance of pimples (mix a little bit with water to form a paste and apply to the bump) and as a teeth whitener (sprinkle a little bit on your toothbrush before brushing.

Anien studied English and journalism before heading off into the world of beauty. An undercover "tree hugger" and fashion lover, she's usually found with her nose in a magazine. She has far too many bottles of nail polish and is completely lost without her lip balm.
Anien on Google+

I love using baking soda! It has so many uses. And lemon juice is awesome as well. I read that dabbing lemon juice on the face and leaving for 15 mins works to fade marks left by pimples but this can be drying so moisturise with some olive or almond oil :)

Thank you so much for the lemon juice tip. I always get that yellow shade on nails after removing nail polish. I now use a base coat before applying nail polish and have realised that it also helps to minimise that yellow effect.

Sign up for our newsletter!

We Love This Product

BeautySouthAfrica - your pre-shop stop for all things beauty

Beautysouthafrica.com is South Africa’s most comprehensive online beauty magazine and your pre-shop stop for product information and reviews. From the latest international make-up trends to the hottest new products on the market, we offer insights into the glamorous world of beauty. Join like-minded beauty fanatics in our loyalty program and earn points, trial beauty products and share your experiences.